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Remembering Sid ChaplinDateline: 25th November, 2004Sid who? A totally unscientific survey suggests that this is not a name that rings bells with most people. Wasn't he a writer? said some. In the fifties or sixties? suggested others. A Geordie? one said. Sid Chaplin OBE (1916 - 1986) was born in Shildon, Co Durham (so he wasn't a Geordie, the true definition of which is someone who can stand in his back yard and spit into the Tyne!), moved to the Home Counties and then, in 1957, returned to his native North East, to Newcastle, where he lived for the rest of his life, thus becoming an honorary Geordie. He was a founder member of Northern Arts (now Arts Council England North East) and vice-president of Newcastle's Literary and Philosophical Society. He was a journalist (for Coal News: he later joined the National Coal Board's PR department), short story writer and novelist. His short stories are mainly set in the East Durham coalfield where he grew up, and deal with the life of the mining community. They are little gems and can be incredibly moving. I have read Hands (published in The Leaping Lad and Other Stories in 1947) a dozen times or more and it never fails to bring a lump to my throat. In the sixties he wrote the two novels which many consider to be his best work - The Day of the Sardine and The Watches and the Watched. But for theatre lovers he is best remembered for the contribution he made to Close the Coalhouse Door (1968). Written by Alan Plater with songs by Alex Glasgow, many of its scenes come from Chaplin's stories - including Hands. A much under-rated writer today, it is only this year that his last two novels have been re-issued by Flambard Press, but his short stories remain out of print. I met him once, back in the seventies, and my reaction to him was the same as for everyone he met - what a lovely man! And that's a pretty good epitaph for anyone! To coincide with the re-launch of the novels, Newcastle's Live Theatre presented an evening of reminiscences, A City on the Tyne, which was hosted by his son, TV writer Michael Chaplin (who is the image of his father!), and featured Sid's wife Renee, Tyne Tees TV producer Heather Ging, former leader of Newcastle City Council Sir Jeremy Beecham, and playwright Alan Plater. Readings from his work were given by Live Theatre actors Chris Connel, Trevor Fox and Laura Norton. What became very clear as the evening progressed was the far-reaching influence Chaplin had on both the literary and theatrical scene on Tyneside during his years in Newcastle. His house was a mecca for writers and actors, a place where they were always sure of a welcome, a sympathetic ear and good advice. Throughout the country you'll find people - and memories of people - like Sid Chaplin who, as well as making a contribution themselves, have, in a quiet way, encouraged others and helped create the rich tapestry of regional theatre. For regional theatre is one of the great strengths of British theatre. London may grab the attention, but it shows only a part - and often not the best part - of the old and new work from places like Newcastle, Bristol, York, Edinburgh, Leeds, Glasgow, Belfast, Salisbury, Manchester, Dundee, Cardiff... The list goes on and on. You can buy The Day of the Sardine (£7.19), The Watchers and the Watched (£7.19),The Leaping Lad and Other Stories (from £3.50) and Close the Coalhouse Door (from £3.50) from the British Theatre Guide Bookshop.
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